Hair accessary

ABSTRACT

In accordance with the invention, a hair accessary is described for a women&#39;s hair. The hair accessary includes a includes an elongated rectangularly shaped elastic strap having an inner elongated surface foldable back on itself so as to form a P-shaped hoop in cross section and an outer elongate surface (opposite to the inner surface) to which a series of beaded strings are attached. The P-shaped hoop includes an upright arm and an arcuate arm that intersects the upright arm over a segment of inner elongated surface. As a result, the arcuate arm forms a closed cavity (that incorporates a segment of the inner surface of the strap) so as to enclose a strand of hair of the user yet is flexible to allow radial expansion as required. A portion of the upright arm of the P-shaped hoop is used to support beaded strings. When the strap is folded back upon itself and the P-shaped hoop is formed, disconnectable attachment means positioned on the inner surface provides for disconnectable attachment creates the P-shaped hoop. The shape of the hoop is initially ellipsoidal but stretchable into a more circular shape. A method of use is also described.

[0001] The invention relates to a hair accessory for a women's hairlocated at the apex of the head including an elongated rectangularlyshaped elastic strap having an inner elongated surface foldable back onitself so as to form a P-shaped hoop in cross section and an outerelongate surface (opposite to the inner surface) to which a series ofbeaded strings are attached. The P-shaped hoop includes an upright armand an arcuate arm that intersects the upright arm over a segment ofinner elongated surface. Note that the arcuate arm forms a closed cavity(that incorporates a segment of the inner surface of the strap) thatencloses a strand of hair of the user. A portion of the upright arm ofthe P-shaped hoop is used to support the series of beaded strings. Whenthe P-shaped hoop is formed, disconnectable attachment means positionedon the inner surface disconnectably creates the P-shaped hoop but allowradial expansion to enhance novel hairstyles. The shape of the hoop isinitially ellipsoidal but stretchable into a more circular shape.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The prior art is replete with various hairband designs but nonehave the characteristics of the instant invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In accordance with the invention, a hair accessory is describedfor a women's hair to be positioned say at the apex of the head. Thehair accessary includes an elongated rectangularly shaped elastic straphaving an inner elongated surface foldable back on itself so as to forma P-shaped hoop in cross section and an outer elongate surface (oppositeto the inner surface) to which a series of beaded strings are attached.The P-shaped hoop includes an upright arm and an arcuate arm thatintersects the upright arm over a segment of inner elongated surface. Asa result, the arcuate arm forms a closed cavity (that incorporates asegment of the inner surface of the strap) so as to enclose a strand ofhair of the user yet is flexible to allow radial expansion as required.A portion of the upright arm of the P-shaped hoop is used to support theseries of beaded strings. When the strap is folded back upon itself andthe shaped hoop is formed, disconnectable attachment means positioned onthe inner surface provides for disconnectable attachment creates theP-shaped hoop. The shape of the hoop is initially ellipsoidal butstretchable into a more circular shape. A method of use is alsodescribed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004]FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the hair accessory of theinvention illustrating how an elastic strap is folded back upon itself;

[0005]FIG. 2 is a detail of the hair accessory of FIG. 1 illustratingthe elastic strap before folding;

[0006]FIG. 3 is a side view of the detail of FIG. 2;

[0007]FIG. 4 is a side view of the detail of FIG. 2 after folding hasoccurred illustrating how a P-shaped hoop is formed;

[0008]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the hair accessary akin of FIG. 1attached to the hair of a women in which strands of hair have beencaptured within the P-shaped hoop;

[0009]FIG. 6 is yet another perspective view of the hair accessary ofFIG. 1 attached to the hair of a women at the side of the head thereofusing a is conventional clip; and

[0010]FIG. 7 is a detail perspective of the hair accessary and clip ofFIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, a hair accessary 10 is shown. It includesan elongated rectangularly shaped elastic strap 11 having an innerelongated surface 12 foldable back on itself about axis A-A so that forma P-shaped hoop 13 in cross section. The strap 11 also includes an outerelongate surface 14 (opposite to the inner surface 12) to which a seriesof beaded strings 15 are attached. The P-shaped hoop 13 includes anupright arm 16 and an arcuate arm 17, the latter intersecting theupright arm 16 over a segment 18 of the inner elongated surface 12. As aresult, the arcuate arm 17 forms a closed cavity 19 (that incorporatessegment 18 of the inner surface 12 of the strap 11). A portion 7 of theupright arm 16 of the P-shaped hoop 13 is used to support the series ofbeaded strings 15 after which a cover 8 is sewn to hide such attachment.When the strap 11 is folded back upon itself and the P-shaped hoop 13 isformed, disconnectable attachment means 9 positioned on the positionedon the inner surface 12 of the strap 11 provides for disconnectableattachment and thus aids in the creation of the P-shaped hoop 13. Theshape of the arcuate arm 17 is initially ellipsoidal but stretchableinto a more circular shape. The disconnectable attachment means 9comprises a conventional male projecting member 50 and a conventionalfemale receiving member 51, both attached to the inner surface 12 of thestrap 11. Note that male projecting member 50 is positioned adjacent toend terminus 53 of the strap 11. While the female receiving member 51 islocated near center portion 54 of the strap 11.

[0012]FIG. 5 shows usage of the hair accessory 10 of the invention.

[0013] As shown, the hair accessary 10 is attached to the apex of thehead 20 of a women 21. Note that hair 22 is captured by a conventionalrubber band (not shown) with the hair accessory 10 enclosing the latter.

[0014]FIGS. 6 and 7 shows other usage of the hair accessary 10 of theinvention.

[0015] As shown, the hair accessary 10 is captured within a conventionalclip 30 wherein the combination is attached to the side 31 of the head32 of a women 33. Note that hair 34 at the apex 35 of the head 32 iscaptured by a conventional ponytail holder 36. As shown in FIG. 7, theclip 30 includes a comb 40 and wings 41 rotatable about on axis ofrotation 42 of a spring keeper 43 to capture the hair accessary 10.

[0016] While the invention has been shown and described with referenceto embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in theart, that various changes, alternatives and variations in form anddetail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

[0017] For example, the shape of the P-shaped hoop 13 can be changed toprovide various arcuate shapes including circular, oblong etc.

[0018] Similarly, while the disconnectable attachment means 9 isdepicted a conventional snap attachment, other forms are possibleincluding Velco a registered trademark. Their attachment can be sewingor by the use of adhesives, glues and the like.

[0019] Also different materials such as pleated scrunchy types can alsobe used for the cover 8.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hair accessory for positioning on a head of auser, comprising an elongated rectangularly shaped elastic strap havingan inner elongated surface foldable back on itself so as to form aP-shaped hoop in cross section, disconnectable attachment meanspositioned on the inner surface so as to provide for disconnectableattachment after foldback and thereby create said P-shaped hoop, anouter elongate surface opposite to said inner surface) and a series ofbeaded strings attached to said elastic strap, said P-shaped hoopincluding an upright arm and an arcuate arm that intersects said uprightarm over a segment of said inner elongated surface wherein said arcuatearm forms a closed cavity.
 2. The hair accessary of claim 1 in which aportion of said upright arm of the P-shaped hoop is used to support saidseries of beaded strings.
 3. The hair accessory of claim 2 with theaddition of a cover positioned over and covering attachment of saidbeaded strings to P-shaped loop.
 4. The hair accessory of claim 3 inwhich said cover is formed of ribbon material.
 5. The hair accessory ofclaim 3 in which said cover is formed of pleated material.
 6. The hairaccessory of claim 1 in which said disconnectable attachment meanspositioned on said inner surface of said strap includes a conventionalmale projecting member and a conventional female receiving memberforming a snap type connector.
 7. The hair accessary of claim 6 in whichsaid male projecting member is positioned adjacent to an end terminus ofsaid strap
 11. 8. The hair accessory of claim 7 in which said femalereceiving member is located near center portion of said strap.
 9. Thehair accessary of claim 1 in which said closed cavity of said P-shapedhoop is used to enclose a strand of hair of the user.
 10. The hairaccessary of claim 1 with addition of a comb-like clip to which saidstrap is attached and wherein said clip is attached to said hair of saiduser.
 11. A method for using a hair accessary to enhance hair and hairstrands of a user wherein said hair accessary includes an elongatedrectangularly shaped elastic strap having on inner elongated surfacefoldable back on itself so as to form a P-shaped hoop in cross section,disconnectable attachment means positioned on the inner surface so as toprovide for disconnectable attachment after foldback and thereby createsaid P-shaped hoop, an outer elongate surface opposite to said innersurface) and a series of beaded strings attached to said elastic strap,said P-shaped hoop including an upright arm and an arcuate arm thatintersects said upright arm over a segment of said inner elongatedsurface wherein said arcuate arm forms a closed cavity so as to enclosea strand of hair of the user yet is flexible to allow radial expansionas required, comprising the steps of (I) positioning said hair accessoryat the apex of the head of said user, (II) folding said strap aboutstrands of the hair of said user by pivoting said strap back on itselfso as to form sold P-shaped hoop through which said strand of hairextends whereby different novel hairstyles are created, and (III)disconnectably connecting said folded strap to disconnectable retainsaid strap is said P-shaped hoop.
 12. A method for using a hairaccessory to enhance hair and hair strands of a user wherein said hairaccessory includes an elongated rectangularly shaped elastic straphaving an inner elongated surface foldable back on itself so as to forma P-shaped hoop in cross section, disconnectable attachment meanspositioned on the inner surface so as to provide for disconnectableattachment after foldback and thereby create said P-shaped hoop, anouter elongate surface opposite to said inner surface) and a series ofbeaded strings attached to said elastic strap, said P-shaped hoopincluding an upright arm and an arcuate arm that intersects said uprightarm over a segment of said inner elongated surface wherein said arcuatearm forms a closed cavity so as to enclose a strand of hair of the useryet is flexible to allow radial expansion as required, comprising thesteps of (I) positioning said hair accessory onto a clip-combattachment, (I) attaching said clip-comb attachment and said hairaccessory to hair of a user.